Chapter 4: The Unlikely Encounter

Xiao Xi, as a boy who had once been a proud and innocent virgin before transmigrating, had always naively believed that he would feel no fear when encountering beautiful girls.

However, now, as he watched the girl extend her two soft, white hands towards him, repeatedly trying to grasp him, and saw the heart-shaped eyes and the faint, imaginary breath from her slightly parted lips in the sultry summer heat, Xiao Xi couldn’t help but feel a genuine sense of fear.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the beautiful girl before him bore a striking resemblance to ‘Annalear’ from his favorite anime.

Although Xiao Xi didn’t want to get involved with Bai Luozhu, the female lead, he could feel her drawing closer. Reminded of Annalear’s yandere tendencies, Xiao Xi instinctively pressed his body against Bai Luozhu’s, seeking her protection.

Unbeknownst to Xiao Xi, his instinctive action was strikingly similar to the way his mother’s cat used to cuddle up to her when they went out.

Despite his fear, Xiao Xi’s high-pitched features made him look like a trembling little fox, which Bai Luozhu found endearing. Although Xiao Xi was her senior, Bai Luozhu couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at his dependence on her.

After a moment of thought, Bai Luozhu stepped back slightly, as if unintentionally avoiding the grasp of the soft, white hands. She bowed gracefully and said,

‘Greetings, Master Met Yao. It’s been a few months, and you still carry yourself with such elegance. I’ve heard from the brothers of the Beast Peak that your cultivation has made significant progress. I, Bai Luozhu, offer my congratulations to you, Master.’

After rising from her bow, Bai Luozhu subtly turned her left shoulder, moving the small fox clinging to her shoulder out of Master Met Yao’s line of sight.

However, while Bai Luozhu was not in a hurry, Master Met Yao was. As the personal disciple of the sect leader of the Qingluan Sect, Master Met Yao was a fellow disciple of Su Mei. Unlike Su Mei, who practiced the art of calligraphy and painting, Master Met Yao specialized in the ‘Beast Taming Path.’

In this world, the Beast Taming Path involved forming bonds with beasts and cultivating together. As a beast tamer, Master Met Yao had a deep affection for the ‘Mystic Race.’

Just moments ago, she had received a message from her senior sister, Su Mei, informing her that she had found a young fox with nascent wisdom that had not yet taken human form. Su Mei wanted Master Met Yao to help it transform using spiritual power.

This news thrilled Master Met Yao, for wise beasts were rare, and those capable of taking human form were even rarer. If she could guide this little fox, they could both advance together.

Although she had only caught a glimpse of Xiao Xi, Master Met Yao was even more excited now. As a beast tamer, she could sense the dense spiritual energy emanating from the little fox, which was crucial for taking human form.

Up until now, Master Met Yao had four spiritual beasts. Her highest-level beast, a cow, was at the same Golden Core Mid-stage as herself. However, due to its initial low spiritual power and bloodline issues, it had never been able to take human form.

Master Met Yao had always dreamed of having a spiritual beast that could take human form. However, most powerful beasts came from prestigious families and were unlikely to become someone’s pet. Thus, her dream had remained unfulfilled.

Now, as she gazed at the little fox with its alluring red eyes, she felt a sense of purpose. In the next instant, she appeared before Bai Luozhu, her eyes scanning over Xiao Xi’s fluffy body. Realizing her eagerness, she took a deep breath to compose herself.

‘Cough, little fox,’ she began, her voice steady, ‘would you like to join my sect?’

Recognizing the girl as Master Met Yao from the novel, Xiao Xi quickly shook his head, expressing his stance. Who would want to be a pet when they could be human?

Master Met Yao, undeterred by the rejection, was even more excited. The little fox clearly understood her words. Just as she was about to continue persuading the naive little fox, a seductive yet clear voice rang out from behind her.

‘Met, what are you doing? Why aren’t you working?’

The threat-laced words could only come from a few senior sisters within the Qingluan Sect. And on this Zixia Peak, it was none other than Su Mei.

Met Yao felt a twinge of embarrassment, realizing she was poaching in front of her senior sister. However, she couldn’t bring herself to give up on the little fox, filled with spiritual energy and charm.

After some thought, Met Yao twirled her index finger, revealing a ring on her little finger. She placed it in her palm and offered it to Su Mei.

Su Mei scanned the ring and was surprised to find it contained ten thousand raw stones, a vast sum. Three raw stones were equivalent to a year’s income for an average family.

Confused by Met Yao’s unexpected generosity, Su Mei wondered why her usually frugal sister was offering her savings. Met Yao quickly explained,

‘Senior Sister, our master always says that everything is about destiny. Look, do I and this little vixen have enough ‘original’ connection now?’

As she spoke, Met Yao pushed the ring closer to Su Mei.

Clinging to Bai Luozhu’s shoulder, Xiao Xi was taken aback. The Qingluan Sect was supposed to be a respectable sect, but how could they engage in such blatant favoritism, right in front of him?

Suddenly, Xiao Xi realized something—who was the vixen? Displeased, he let out a series of ‘xi, xi, xi’ sounds, a unique protest from foxes.

However, when he turned back, he saw Su Mei, the beauty, playing with the ring, her deep, alluring eyes sparking with interest. Xiao Xi’s internal alarm blared. She wasn’t actually going to sell him, was she?

As the situation seemed to be heading in that direction, Xiao Xi, unwilling to become a pet, mustered his courage. He leapt from Bai Luozhu’s shoulder, scampering up Su Mei’s fiery red skirt to the familiar peak.

Wagging his white tail and extending a soft, fluffy paw, he pushed against the ring in Su Mei’s hand, his ‘xi, xi, xi’ sounds expressing his displeasure.

Su Mei had intended to tease her junior sister but was captivated by the little fox’s adorable antics. Holding the clinging creature, she listened to its ‘xi, xi, xi’ sounds. Her eyes darted as she considered for a moment before gently patting Xiao Xi’s head.

‘Since you love ‘xi, xi, xi’ so much, and your brother’s surname is Xiao, how about we call you Xiao Xixi?’

Xiao Xi, engrossed in his struggle with the ring, suddenly felt a surge of unease at the name ‘Xiao Xixi.’ Could it be a coincidence? No, it must be!